The University of Gloucestershire is part of an Institute of Coding consortium of UK higher education institutions to be awarded funding to develop a suite of postgraduate conversion courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science.

​The University of Gloucestershire is part of an
Institute of Coding (IoC)​ consortium of UK higher education institutions to be awarded £3.7m in funding from the Office for Students to develop a suite of postgraduate conversion courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science.

The move is in response to a shortage of skilled graduates and accelerating demand. The Government's Digital Strategy predicted that within 20 years, 90 per cent of all jobs will require some element of digital skills, therefore the number of graduates skilled in this area needs to increase significantly to keep pace with demand.

A critical objective of the IoC consortium, led by Coventry University, is to increase the number of learners from underrepresented groups in AI and data science, and to encourage graduates from diverse backgrounds to consider a future in this area.

The consortium will develop a series of flexible modes of study - a mixture of online, blended and face to face learning, and will also be working together to create a two-week online boot camp to support learners in making the transition to AI and data science.

Professor Kamal Bechkoum, Head of School of Business & Technology at the University of Gloucestershire, said: “In an era of super-connectivity, data tsunami and AI, there is an ever increasing need for new and advanced digital skills. We are delighted to be joining forces with a consortium of universities from the Institute of Coding to design and deliver a Masters programme in AI and Data Science.
“This is a great opportunity for the University of Gloucestershire to influence the digital skills agenda both in the region and nationally.” ​

Led by Coventry University, the consortium delivery partners are:
• University of Gloucestershire
• Aston University
• University of Bath
• Birkbeck, University of London
• University of Exeter
• Lancaster University
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• Queen Mary University of London
• University of Sunderland
• University of the West of England